Thinking Of Getting A Focus St

[miamistu 1]

I know it's not a 205 but I was just wondering if anybody here had any experience living with an st?

 

I've been looking at something a bit more modern than the pug and it caught my eye.

 

Cheers

 

Stu

 

[pugpete1108 62 1 Cars]

What phase? A friend of mine had a st170 from new and apart from a management problem from the factory had no trouble with it.

 

Damn fast too for n/a engine

 

Not had any experience with the new st though

[miamistu 1]

Was gonna get a newer one, with the 2.5 turbo engine.

 

I heard the 170 was actually quite slow?

[GG205rob 0]

The 170 feels quick to drive but doesnt actually go as well as it feels it does. Nice cars to drive though and very good to live with. Reasonably quick and low running costs.

[mikeyd 13]

a mate had an st 220 which was remapped /carbon airbox /aftermarket exhaust with reputed 300bhp through 2!wheels!!

result=had wheelspin in 6th gear!!!![i was in it once and it was bloody evil]downside was he used 85 quids[2010prices] worth of fuel to get from dorset to beverly in yorks[one way]

soon after that he sold it as he reckoned he:d probably kill himself in it otherwise!!

[large 33]

With any car like this I think the big thing is fuel costs when you start putting your foot down.If you can live with that its not a problem.

Apart from that very good cars. Seats 5 in comfort, big boot, good build quality and plenty of go when needed.

[tidypug 5 2 Cars]

Dream weaver has one I believe, so it may be worth dropping him a pm.

[dumbiron 0]

From what i have heard ...

 

1 poor steering lock

2 hard ride

3 any faults (including filling the boot full of water) are because it is a Ford

 

Damn fast though !

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

I did the UK launch off these years ago, The ST170, Performace was the most disapointing in all cars compared to even the Mi16 I had at the time, Handing thou is excellent, Brakes good, but everything else average and I;ve never liked the inside of them personally

[Masekwm 2]

With any car like this I think the big thing is fuel costs when you start putting your foot down.If you can live with that its not a problem.

Apart from that very good cars. Seats 5 in comfort, big boot, good build quality and plenty of go when needed.

 

Sounds like a perfect weekend car for a family with a Dad who doesn't use his car during the week.

 

**makes note**

[benje 0]

A friend has one, I have driven it a little, but never in anger so can not comment on handling etc. However I have been a passenger in it several times.

 

It makes a wonderful noise thanks to the 5 pot engine similar to my old Fiat Coupe. It seems to pull very well, with no noticeable lag from what I can tell, I assume with 2.5 litres and what I gather a decent turbo set up, it seems to just go anywhere in the rev range (Very different to older turbo cars I've owned which always seem to be dead before the turbo spools) Ride seems perfectly good to me, yes it's firm but it's not a bone shaking type affair, it's what you expect from a car like this though.

 

He has the ST3 with the Recaros, which are probably by far, the best seats I have experienced in a car. Loads of toys, heated front screen, heated seats etc etc. I think the 5 pot engine gives it a little more character than its contemporaries (Astra VXR, Megane etc) Yes it's probably not as fast in a straight line as the VXR, not as good as the Megane in the bends, but I think it's a good compromise.

 

As for fuel economy, he's getting around 25mpg, but he doesn't hang about and his misses drives it the most around town, so on a run, I expect it would be a lot better.

[GLPoomobile 958]

20 valve turbo for the FTMFBTLSTAARTRIW

[Atari Boy 11]

My Volvo barge had the same engine in it.

Obviously a bit heavier, but I can only get 30 on a run and 28 day to day.

[Baz 421]

170's are dog slow, and unreliable. A pair of mates (brothers) both had one from new, as did my Brother in law.

 

The Volvo powered ones are much better and are seemingly quite capable, but i still hear a few sore points although nothing regarding the bomb-proof, fantastic (especially the sound!!) engines.

 

I'd personally go straight for the Volvo, but then i might be biased...

Edited January 30, 2011 by Baz

[miamistu 1]

I don't think I could like with the stigma of a Volvo (I'm only 31) and fuel efficiency isn't a massive concern - I do less than 5k miles per year.

 

I'm after something newer than a MK1 focus so the 170 is off the cards anyway.

 

Will take one out for a spin and see if I like it

 

Cheers for all your comments.

[Baz 421]

I'm younger than that...

[miamistu 1]

Didn't mean any offence, sorry!

 

My dad has a Volvo and I'm not him (yet)

[large 33]

"I'm younger than that... "

 

 

But you don't look it .

Edited January 30, 2011 by large

[GLPoomobile 958]

Baz is the Peter Pan of the forum

 

All this stuff about Volvos being old men's cars is a load of guff. Each to their own though.

[welshpug 1,657]

what stigma?!

 

 

 

 

A mate has just bought a P2 V70 2.3 T5, sooooo comfy inside! fairly brisk, sounds good, tons of space

 

 

 

Saw an R today too

[TOYBOY 1]

This is my ST3, bought new tail end of last year.

 

Handles nicely, ride isn't too harsh, comfy Recaro seats. Does all things reasonably well.

 

Kev.

[McDude 33]

I owned one from new (bought in 2006) and owned it for a year.

 

They really are a very capable, do everything sort of a car. Nice for just cruising around, very relaxed motorway car and properly quick on a B-road. The suspension, if anything is a bit soft, but it has lovely progressive handling. I took mine to Rockingham and even taught the wife how to get leary lift off oversteer in 3rd and catch it again with ease. It was also a beast around the Nurburgring.

 

The five pot sounds great - the only downside is it averaged about 22mpg with a mix of driving.

[Baz 421]

Yeah they're thirsty, my 300bhp version of the same engine in a heavier carcass is averaging around 23mpg.

Edited February 1, 2011 by Baz

[miamistu 1]

I'm definitely gonna have to take one out for a spin - they sound pretty fun.

 

Just got to sell my 205 now - new MOT in a week should help things along!

[Baz 421]

Yes do it, i love the sound of an angry 5pot in the morning! (Or any time of day really!)

 

Is your 205 advertised on here Stu?